Early morning Ganesh visarjan in Amona, Quepem: A sight to behold

In the village of Amona in Quepem, Goa, people walk to the banks of River Kushavati in the early morning hours to perform the Ganesh ’visarjan’, marking the end of the day-and-half Chaturthi celebration.

This is in contrast to other parts of Goa, where Ganesh ‘visarjans’ typically take place throughout the night. In Amona, however, people choose to perform the ‘visarjan’ in the morning for a number of reasons.

Unlike other places, in Amona people go to each and every house to perform the final aartis. By the time all houses are done, it is 3 am.

According to a villager, it is not ideal to perform the visarjan at 3.30 am and also there are crocodiles in Kushavati river.

The procession to the river is accompanied by music, dancing, and singing. Once at the riverbank, the idol is immersed in the water, and people chant "Ganpati Bappa Morya!"